* ■ « * | 4 Herald & Lantern 3 October '84

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Postcard -55^ from The Pines "xXJ By Terrence D. Moore, txecutive Director oi the Ness lersey Pinelands Commission

Along Routes 72 and 539. where Burlington and Ocean Counties meet, there stands a forest of miniature trees. It is one of the most unusual forests in the world and no one truly understands why it is the way it is. The area is often called "the Plains", but more commonly "the Pygmy Forest." Trees in the Pygmy Forest are full grown, but the largest * reach a height of only 10 to 11 feel. While the forest is predominately pitch pine, it also includes pint-sized versions of scrub and black-jack oaks. THE PINE cones in the area are serotinuous, which means they remain closed unless there is high heat. Seeds are released only after a fire. Fires ai%^., quite frequent in the forest and appear to be an important factor in the survival of the species found here.

For ovef a century' scientists have attempted to discover reasons for stunted nature of the Pygmy Forest. Early conjecture centered on the soils of the area with their acidity and low fertility. ' Later, scientists thought that the acid soils caused naturally occuring aluminum to dissolve, thereby creating toxic quantities which stunted Vgrowlb. Studies found little difference, however, between- the soils of other areas of the Pinelands and those of the Pygmy Forest. The mystery continued. FIRE ALSO was looked upon as a reason for the forest when studies showed that it tended to be burned more frequently than other areas of the Pinelands. and _^Lhe fires were more severe here. This led to the conclusion that with less fire, the trees would grow to the height of normal pines. Silas Little, who is the dean of New Jersey foresters in the Pinelands, cast doubt on this theory by growing seedlings from the Pygmy Forest. He found that without fire the trees still didn't measure up. He suggested that perhaps the trees were genetically different from others because of the historic frequency of fires. RECENT WORk appears to support Little's conclusion. Dr. Ralph and Norma Good of Rutgers University report what appear to, be genetic differences between PygmyForest pines and those of the Pine Barrens in a number of experiments. While no one knows for sure, maybe the answers are near. Much of the Pygmy Forest has been or will Joe purchased by the State of New Jersey to ensure that this unique part of the world is preserved. Recently, a very important event happened to assist in this task. SINCE WORLD War II a portion of the Pygmy Forest near Warren Groye

has served as a practice bombing and target range for the Navy and later, the Air Force. The area is now administered by the New Jersey Air National Guard, w-hioh is in the process of acqi^ring additional portions of the forest. The Air Guard has offered to participate in a memorandum of agreement with the National Park Service, the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection and the Pinelands Commission. The agreement will result in a plan to manage the forest so that future military operations can be conducted in a manner that protects the pygmy pines. Recreational management will also be addressed. Of interest to scientists is the Guard's committment to set aside a portion of the range for research and experimentation. The Pygmy Forest is an interesting place to visit and can be \iewed from the major roads that traverse it. If you want to know what Paul Bunyan felt like as he roamed his forests, take a stroll in the Plains

Reception Slated for Candidates STONE HARBOR - A reception for all candidates in the county running for office in November will be sponsored Wednesday, Oct. 10. by the Cape May CountyBranch of the American Association of UniversityWoman. It will begin at 7 p.m. at the Wetlands Institute here. The keynote speaker for the evening will be Joan M. Wright, director of the New Jersey State Division on Women. Mrs. Wright will discuss the resources of the division and the goal of establishing County Advisory Commissioners on the Status of Women. The public -is urged to attend.

dAccent on Fashion 'Vi VI:' I® ■ r*c«iv»d thr nvwcst Ushior. tabncs sU r ' ' * <>0» Normar. t* of Salisbury PUn to " design your world with hundred* of fabric combinations from '*■ _ OUI whether it be international or bomwapur. ■ | Come in or call WHI11 Our consultapts can assist you in selecting •• 1 Ops*. Mot -Sat. 10-5 Sea. 10-3 308-1(17 9720 TMni Aye., In The Gallary, Stone Horber

PTA to Hold 4th Reunion

SEA ISLE CITY - St. Joseph s Regional School PTA will sponsor its fourth annual fall reunion with the fabulous Grease Band Saturday, Oct. 13, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the

Wild wood Convention Hall. A cash bar will be available. Tickets can be obtained by calling 263-6870, 263-3202 or 967-3699. Only those 21 or older can attend.

Rotary Clubs Slate Hughes

CAPE MAY — A joint meeting of the Mid-Jersey Cape and Cape May RotaryClubs will be held 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, at the Golden Eagle Restaurant

here. Congressman William Hughes is the scheduled speaker. For further information contact Gordon Nedwed at 465-7633.

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